Watford's second league win of 2016 pushed them up into eighth place in the table, while Palace remain 12th.

Road warriors

Quique Sanchez Flores's side carved out their fifth Premier League win away from home this season, subduing their hosts with long spells of possession and incisive attacks.

In fact, Palace's equaliser came as a real shock, having failed to give Heurelho Gomes much to worry about in the first 44 minutes of the match.

After weathering an early spell of pressure from the Eagles in the second half, the Hornets gathered themselves and bided their time before striking when the chance presented itself late in the game.

Deeney finished smartly when the ball had arrived nicely for him off the head of a Palace defender, although his side went close to being drawn level again when Yohan Cabaye hit the post late on.

Tactical switch nearly pays off

Wilfried Zaha's second half touch map shows how he hugged the left-hand side

Alan Pardew's half-time change, bringing on Lee Chung-yong for Connor Wickham, saw Wilfried Zaha move on to the left flank, and for a time it looked like the new approach could pay off.

Zaha had chances of his own and linked up with Adebayor to pose the Watford defence more problems early in the second half than they had had for the whole of the first.

But the threat faded as the second half wore on, and Palace must contemplate a slump in form that has seen them slip from fifth in the table just before Christmas to 12th as it stands.

Problems for Pardew?

Souare's sending off gives Alan Pardew more problems to wrestle with, ruling the defender out for the next three games.

The Eagles' last win came on 19 December at Stoke, but Adebayor's goal gives some cause for optimism.

The 31-year-old looked to be getting into the game more as it progressed, and he could provide his side with some much-needed goal threat - midfielder Yohan Cabaye and defender Scott Dann are Palace's joint-leading scorers with five each.

Man of the match - Troy Deeney

Troy Deeney bounced back from a substitute appearance in Watford's defeat at Spurs to lead his side from the front and keep the Hornets' impressive return to the top-flight going

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew, speaking to MOTD: "It was a tough result for us. We couldn't get going in the first half.

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Defeat to Watford is 'tough' - Pardew

On Watford penalty: "We have had situations where Scott Dann is dragged to the ground on regular occasions but nothing given, I am not going to say it was not holding, but to have it on the first corner at the first play was tough.

"We know we are on a tricky run and these things go against you on these runs. We just have to focus now and get out of this run. The league form is a bit of a worry and we just have to put it right.

"It is a 90 minute game and we wasted 45 minutes."

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores: "It is always important psychologically for players to win. You work hard every single week but you need to win to confirm the good feelings you have in the week.

"It is an important win for us, we are close to the target and we are happy with the performance of the players."

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Watford win was amazing - Flores

The stats you need to know

Only Bournemouth (13) and Aston Villa (10) have taken fewer points at home this season than Crystal Palace (14).

52% of Palace's goals have come from set pieces, the highest proportion in the top flight.

Troy Deeney has scored more goals from the penalty spot than any other Premier League player this season (five). Deeney also scored twice in a Premier League game for the first time.

Referee Rob Madley has awarded a league-high 11 penalties in the 18 Premier League matches that he has taken charge of in 2015-16.

Emmanuel Adebayor has scored his first Premier League goal in 475 days (October 2014 vs Newcastle).

22 of Emmanuel Adebayor's 97 Premier League goals have been scored from headers.

What's next?

Palace face Spurs in the FA Cup next Sunday, but their next league action is not until 27 February when they visit the Hawthorns to play West Brom.

Watford have two home games in a row - against Leeds in the FA Cup fifth round on 20 February, and against Bournemouth in the league a week later.